Frequency Of Refractive Error in School Going Children Visiting Eye OPD with Complain of Headache and Eye Strain

Abstract

Uncorrected refractive error in children leads to various problems in their daily life and can cause multiple problems. Objective: The current study was conducted to determine the presences of headache, eye strain and uncorrected refractive error in school going children. Methods: The study was conducted on 220 school going children of ages between 5 to 15 years. Patients with complain of headache and eye strain were included in the study after taking informed consent. All other patients with any type of squint, amblyopic, nerve palsies, or any other pathology were not included in the current study. Equipment used during the data collection include distance visual acuity chart (Snellen chart), trial box, occludes, pen torch, retinoscopy and auto refractometer. Results: Out of the total 220 participants, patients presented with complain of headache and eyestrain were 114 (51.8%) and 106(48.2%) respectively. Out of the total 220 patients, 80(36.4%) were myopic, 48(21.8%) were hyperopic and 46(20.9%) were astigmatic. Patients with no refractive error were 46(20.9%). Out of the total patients, 78(35.5%) found with mild degree of refractive error. Out of the total patients, 46(20.9%) were presented with visual acuity of 6/6. Conclusion: This study concludes that children complain of headache and eye strain can be associated with the uncorrected refractive error. Mild degrees of refractive error are more prevalent as compared to moderate and severe refractive errors. Myopia is more prevalent in school going children complaining of headache and eye strain as compared to hyperopia and astigmatism.